ABOUT THE CASE
While in Afghanistan, surrounded by Taliban, Derrick’s unit was briefed to expect Taliban disguised as civilians infiltrating their lines to better target attacks.
On September 26, 2010, a Soldier notified Derrick that Atta Mohammed had infiltrated their camp – someone the Soldier and Derrick recognized, with “100%” certainty, from the day before when Mohammed was detained on suspicion of transporting weapons and enemy combatants.
In an open area, with an Afghan interpreter and the other Soldier present, Derrick, concerned for American lives, questioned Mohammed. First, Mohammed claimed he was an electrician, then a plumber—but he wasn’t carrying any tools. Mohammed claimed he couldn’t drive—but was carrying car keys. He couldn’t tell a straight story about where he lived, either. The more Mohammed spoke, the more Derrick grew suspicious.
The Afghan interpreter observed Mohammed grow irate – Mohammad’s two companions had left him behind and his cover story was falling apart. Mohammed attempted to grab Derrick’s pistol. Derrick shot and killed Mohammad.
Less than an hour later, as anticipated, Derrick’s unit came under well-aimed enemy fire which obviously benefited from the enemy’s reconnaissance of the unit’s leaders’ locations, vehicles, and defensive positions. However, as a result of Derrick’s actions, the unit was on full alert and no American lives were lost.
CONVICTION
Despite a lack of a thorough investigation at the scene and no photographs of the body, Derrick was found guilty of “premeditated murder” based solely on the testimony of an interpreter the Army helped get asylum and a path to American citizenship and one scared Soldier who, initially stated in a sworn statement on the day of the incident that Derrick shot the Taliban during a “struggle” during which the suspect was “swinging his arms” at Derrick. However, after investigators threatened him with being charged as an accessory, he changed his story during the trial.
AFTER THE CONVICTION
Derrick’s was sentenced to life in prison. His conviction was final. All his appeals had been exhausted.
However, United American Patriots (UAP) agreed to support Derrick and a different attorney, Colby Volkey, to take on Derrick’s case to continue to fight for justice.
CLEMENCY BOARD HEARING
In April, 2018, with UAP’s support, Mr. Vokey presented Derrick’s case at a Clemency Board Hearing. As a result, we were able to get Derrick’s life sentence reduced to 20-years, after demonstrating that, even if the jury refused to acknowledge Derricks actions were in self-defense, Derrick should have been convicted of manslaughter not “premeditated murder”.
This then made Derrick eligible for parole.
PAROLE BOARD HEARING
In February, 2019, again, with the support of UAP, Mr. Vokey presented Derrick’s case – this time at a Parole Board Hearing.
There was strong unified, apolitical, bipartisan support at Derrick’s Parole Board Hearing. UAP’s CEO, LtCol David “Bull” Gurfein represented UAP and testified alongside Congressmen Louis Gomert (R) and Elijah Commings’ (D) Chief of Staff along with Derrick’s Mother, Renee Meyers.
RELEASE
On March 20, 2019, Derrick was notified fo the results of the parole hearing – Derrick was released on Parole on May 20, 2019.
WHAT’S NEXT
United American Patriots (UAP) will keep fighting to clear Derrick’s name and to have this unjust conviction removed.
Derrick is now working on Capitol Hill as a part of the Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus.
WHO IS DERRICK MILLER?
Derrick Miller is a man of stellar character. Raised in Frederick, Maryland, Derrick joined the Maryland National Guard in 2006. According to Derrick’s mother, he felt it was his duty as an American to join the National Guard. He is the father of two girls. Formerly a security guard at Fort Detrick, SGT Miller volunteered for multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and at the time of the incident, had recently been promoted to Sergeant. The soldiers he served with described him as an “outstanding soldier” in the “top 5 percentile” of NCOs, who was “peaceful,” “calm,” and the “moral compass” of his unit. Derrick was seen as a “squared away” soldier who acted “reasonably in pressure situations.” His commanding officer describes Derrick as a model soldier.
At the time of the incident, Miller was serving with the Connecticut National Guard and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, a unit that was at the spearhead of fighting in Afghanistan. The only reason Derrick detained the Afghan suspect was that he believed that interrogating him would save lives. The testimony of Derrick’s comrades backs up everything from the intelligence about Taliban surveillance to the identification of the Afghan man as the truck driver to the subsequent attack. Moreover, because Derrick’s offense was committed in a unique combat context, it will never recur. When he is released, he will return to the peaceful, law-abiding life he has always lived.
CONTACT DERRICK MILLER
Letters for Derrick Miller can be sent to:
SGT Derrick Miller
C/O UAP ATTN: Elizabeth Brown
1800 Diagonal Road Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22314
